DUI Suspect Passed Out with Child in Vehicle

by Pete Strom on October 25, 2011

South Carolina DUI Lawyers

WLTX-TV is reporting that Kershaw County deputies have arrested a group of drunk driving suspects, including one that officers claim was passed out in his car with his child inside the vehicle.

Over the weekend authorities arrested six suspects.

On Saturday, authorities say they found a car that was pulled off the side of Interstate 20 near exit 101.

Deputies say when they approached the car, they discovered 43-year-old Bryan Oneal Jackson passed out behind the wheel.  Investigators add that the car engine was running with the car in drive.

The suspect’s five-year-old daughter was also in the car.

Investigators say the suspect failed a field sobriety test and blew a 0.17.  In South Carolina, you are presumed to be driving under the influence at .08.

Jackson was arrested for DUI and child endangerment.  He was taken to the Kershaw County Detention Center. The girl was taken to her grandmother’s home.  Mr. Jackson is innocent until he is proven guilty.

By: Pete Strom, South Carolina DUI Lawyer.

 

Consequences of a DUI Arrest in South Carolina:

Consequences associated with a driving under the influence conviction are determined by

  • the charge of a first DUI, second DUI, third DUI, or subsequent offense;
  • your blood alcohol level (the higher your BAC, the stiffer the penalties);
  • your agreement or refusal to take a chemical test, such as a breathalyzer (if you refuse, you will lose your license for 6 months, unless you request an administrative suspension hearing);
  • minors being in your vehicle; and
  • your involvement in a DUI accident.

NOTE:  Your DUI defense also plays a key role in determining the final consequences.

Actual DUI penalties, based on the factors above, include:

  • A suspended or restricted license,
  • Mandatory jail time or imprisonment,
  • Ignition interlock device,
  • SR-22 insurance,
  • Fines ranging from $400 to $10,000,
  • Community service,
  • Felony conviction, and participation in the
  • Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP)

If you or a loved one have been arrested for DUI, contact the DUI defense attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, LLC for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.  803.252.4800

Arrested for Prescription Drug Abuse?

by Pete Strom on October 20, 2011

South Carolina Drug Crime Lawyers

The abuse of prescription drugs whether to enable you to get ahead or keep up, deal with pain, or for profit, is considered a drug crime in South Carolina and can lead to serious consequences, including imprisonment as well as the loss of a professional license.

In South Carolina, there are laws which govern the obtainment, possession, and distribution of prescription drugs. These prescription drug laws affect the general public as well as the doctor prescribing the medication. If you have been arrested for prescription drugs, we will investigate your case from every angle, determine whether an illegal search took place, and fight to have your charges reduced or even dismissed.

Drugs Commonly Targeted for Prescription Drug Prosecution include:

• Painkillers including Hydrocodone, Lortab, Oxycodone, Percocet, and Oxycontin;
• Depressants such as Valium and Xanax;
• Stimulants including Ritalin and Dexedrine;
• Opioids including Codeine, Morphine, and Opium;
• Steroids including Anadrol, Oxandrin,Durabolin, and Equipoise;

as well as OTC drug abuse of decongestants such as Sudafed.

Being arrested for prescription drug abuse is something that most people have not experienced. It can be devastating financially and emotionally resulting on personal and professional consequences. We understand what you are going through, and we are here to help.

Whether you have been charged with:

The drug crime attorneys at Strom Law Firm, LLC will aggressively defend your case whether you are under investigation or have been arrested for drugs in all State and Federal Courts in South Carolina as well as the Federal Courts in Georgia.

Drug cases in particular need to be examined from every angle, in many cases are subject to mandatory minimum sentences, and aggressive representation can protect your future.

The criminal defense lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC know the evidence to look for, including whether a search warrant or arrest warrant issued in your case was properly executed and the standards by which all investigations, searches, and arrests should be performed.

By: South Carolina Drug Crime Lawyer Pete Strom

Drug Cartels Now Recruiting Young Children

by Pete Strom on October 18, 2011

South Carolina Drug Crime Lawyers

A conviction for a drug related offense carries stiff penalties.  Law enforcement officials in Texas claim several Mexican drug cartels are luring youngsters as young as 11 years old to work in their smuggling operations.

Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Steven McCraw told Reuters the drug gangs have a chilling name for the young children lured into their operations.

“They call them ‘the expendables,’” he said.

McCraw said his task force has evidence that six Mexican drug gangs have “command and control centers” in Texas actively recruiting children for their operations, attracting them with what appears to be “easy money” for doing easy tasks.

“Cartels would pay kids $50 just for them to move a vehicle from one position to another position, which allows the cartel to keep it under surveillance to see if law enforcement has it under surveillance,” he said.

“Of course, once you’re hooked up with them, there’s consequences.”

McCraw said 25 minors have been arrested in one county alone in 2011 for running drugs, acting as lookouts, or doing other work for organized Mexican drug gangs.

The cartels are now expanding out, he said, and have operations in all major Texas cities.

This month, “we made an arrest of a 12-year-old boy who was in a stolen pickup truck with 800 pounds of marijuana,” he said. “So they do recruit our kids.”

Officials say children are less likely to be suspects than adults, and are easily manipulated by relatively small sums of money.  They face less severe penalties than adults if arrested which is why the cartels are after them. 

In response to this problem, McCraw says the state of Texas is joining a program initiated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection called “Operation Detour,” in which law enforcement officers meet with children and their parents in schools and at community centers to warn them about the dangers of what appears to be the easy money the Mexican drug gangs offer.

 

By: Pete Strom, South Carolina Drug Crime Attorney

Mexico’s Most Wanted Drug Lord’s Wife Gives birth to Twins in U.S.

by Pete Strom on September 27, 2011

California – MSNBC reported Mexico’s most wanted drug lord’s wife has given birth to twin girls at a hospital in California.

The Los Angeles Times stated Emma Coronel, the 22-year-old wife of Joaquin Guzman, came to the U.S. in mid-July and delivered her daughters at Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster a few weeks later.

The former beauty queen does have U.S. citizenship, and returned to Mexico after the two girls were born.  Her children also now qualify for American citizenship since they were born in the U.S.

Birth certificates listed Coronel as the mother of the twins, but the spaces for the father’s name were left blank. Law enforcement officials told the Times that she was not arrested because there are no charges pending against her.

Nicknamed “El Chapo”, Guzman is believed to be a multibillionaire and the world’s wealthiest drug trafficker.

While his wife may have been able to provide useful information about his location, officials said detaining her would not necessarily have helped to apprehend the drug kingpin because he is guarded by an army of heavily armed men and tends to stay in hard-to-reach areas of Mexico’s highlands.

The 54-year-old is the boss of the Sinaloa cartel,Mexico’s most powerful drug-trafficking gang.

U.S.authorities have placed a $5-million bounty on Guzman’s head and claim that he and the Sinaloa cartel control the mainstream of cocaine and marijuana entering the U.S. from Mexico and Colombia.

Guzman reached a new level of fame in 2009 when he made Forbes magazine’s list of the 67 “World’s Most Powerful People.” He was listed at No. 41, just below Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei while topping Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez — No. 67 — and France’s Nicolas Sarkozy — No. 56.

By: South Carolina Drug Crimes Lawyer Pete Strom

Drug Trafficking Penalties in South Carolina

The penalties for a drug trafficking conviction in South Carolina are severe. Your rights, freedom, and future are at stake.
Penalties for drug trafficking (depending upon the drug, the arrest, and your record) can include:

Trafficking Marijuana: more than ten pounds, but less than one hundred pounds

• First offense: One to 10 years in prison and
$10,000 in fines;

• Five to 20 years in prison and $15,000 in fines for a second
offense trafficking charge;

• 25 years in prison and $20,000 in fines for a third or
subsequent offense.

Click here for more.

Marijuana Package Tracked to NFL Player

by Pete Strom on September 22, 2011

CRESTVIEW HILLS – Ohio Authorities searched a house owned by Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jerome Simpson after a package containing 2.5 pounds ofCaliforniamarijuana was delivered to the home, according to an article in USAtoday. A spokeswoman for the California Department of Justice says investigators found 6 more pounds of pot inside the residence.

Authorities say Simpson and Bengals teammate Anthony Collins were at the residence when a woman, identified as Aleen Smith, 27, accepted a package Tuesday at Simpson’s home. Authorities then detained Simpson and Collins, but no one was formally charged. Simpson told police he lived at the residence and gave officers consent to search the grounds.

Officers seized drug paraphernalia including “packaging materials, scales and smoking devices.”

Tommy LaNier, head of the National Marijuana Initiative said the house was set up as a potential drug distribution network.

“They had it all set up to receive supplies of high-grade marijuana from Northern California, and from there, it was being distributed from that residence,” LaNier said.

Police say more details on the incident will be released later today by the Kenton County Prosecutor’s office.

The trail that lead to Simpson’s residence began Sept. 19.  A narcotics unit devoted to detecting and tracking alleged marijuana shipments flagged a package, which originated inEureka,Calif., at aSacramentoshipping center.

California authorities then alertedKentuckylaw enforcement, and they kept an eye on it while it was transported.

Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan said the organization was aware of the reports but as of right now has no comment.

Both players are in their fourth years with the Bengals. Simpson was drafted in the second round three years ago and has emerged as one of the team’s starting wide receivers. He had a career-high four receptions and 136 yards last week in the team’s loss atDenver.

Collins, a fourth-round pick, is listed as a backup left tackle, he has started 16 games during his career.

Under NFL rules, both players could be subject to discipline under the league’s substance abuse and personal conduct policies. Drug testing was suspended during the league’s lockout this past summer, but restarted when it ended in late July.

Calls to Collins’ and Simpson’s agents were not returned.

However, both Collins and Simpson did participate in Wednesday’s practice in preparation for Sunday’s game againstSan Francisco.

 

By: South Carolina Drug Crime Lawyer Pete Strom

 

South Carolina Drug Trafficking Penalties

by Pete Strom on September 20, 2011

South Carolina Drug Trafficking Lawyers

Trafficking Marijuana: more than ten pounds, but less than one hundred pounds

• First offense: One to 10 years in prison and
$10,000 in fines;

• Five to 20 years in prison and $15,000 in fines for a second
offense trafficking charge;

• 25 years in prison and $20,000 in fines for a third or
subsequent offense.

If you are charged with trafficking over one hundred pounds of marijuana your possible conviction can result in up to 30 years in prison and $200,000 in fines.

Cocaine Trafficking:  Depending upon the amount, penalties for trafficking less than one hundred grams:

First offense:  three to ten years in prison and $25,000.00 in fines;
Second offense:  five to thirty years in prison and a $50,000.00 fine
Third offense or subsequent offense: twenty five to thirty years in prison and a $50,000.00 fine.

If you are charged with trafficking over one hundred grams of cocaine your possible conviction can result in up to thirty years in prison and a $200,000.00 fine.

Under Federal Law, anyone who uses, possesses, or carries a firearm during or in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is subject to a five year mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment.

If you are convicted of carrying a firearm, five years will be added to your sentence and it may not be served consecutively with any other count.

The drug possession and drug trafficking lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC are dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients, providing aggressive representation grounded in our years of experience building and interpreting the laws of South Carolina.  Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case.

By: South Carolina Drug Crimes Lawyer Pete Strom

 

Federal and State drug charges in South Carolina carry some of the stiffest penalties in the nation. When faced with a drug charge, you need a lawyer who knows how the system works and will fight to protect your rights.

The drug possession and drug trafficking lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC,  include a former United States Attorney and Richland County Assistant Solicitor, a former Public Defender, and a former Assistant Attorney General and Richland County Assistant Solicitor. Mr. Strom has been given an AV-Rating, the highest ranking possible, from the respected legal guide Martindale-Hubble.

Whether you have been charged with:

• Possession of drugs
• Possession with intent to distribute
• Drug trafficking
• Possession of drugs in the proximity of a school
• Prescription Fraud
• Manufacturing Drugs or
• Money laundering

The drug crime attorneys at Strom Law Firm, LLC will aggressively defend your case whether you are under investigation or have been arrested for drugs in all State and Federal Courts in South Carolina as well as the Federal Courts in Georgia.

Teen Drug Use Statistics

by Pete Strom on September 15, 2011

The good news is illegal drug use among teenagers is declining.   The  bad news is that the abuse of prescription drugs, especially pain relievers is increasing according to a Teen Drug Abuse Intervention Website.
Click here to read more information from their website regarding teen drug abuse.
Many teenagers believe that prescription drugs are safe, but the truth is they are highly addictive and can cause severe side effects just like illegal drugs.
The following are some statistics regarding teenage drug and alcohol abuse from a Teen Drug Abuse Intervention Website
  • Underage drinking costs the United States more than $58 billion every year.
  • 40 percent of those who started drinking at age 13 or younger developed alcohol dependence later in life.  Ten percent of teens who began drinking after the age of 17 developed dependence.
  • Ten percent of teens report that they have attended a rave, and ecstasy and other drugs were available at more than two-thirds of these raves.
  • Teens that drink are 50 times more likely to use cocaine than teens who never consume alcohol.
  • 63 percent of the youth who drink alcohol say that they initially got the alcohol from their own or their friend’s homes.
  • Alcohol kills 6 ½ times more teenagers than all other illicit drugs combined.
  • Teenagers whose parents talk to them on a regular basis about the dangers of drug use are 42 percent less likely to use drugs than those whose parents don’t.
  • More than 60 percent of teens said that drugs were sold, used, or kept at their school.
  • 20 percent of 8th graders report that they have tried marijuana.
  • 28 percent of teens know a classmate or friend who has used ecstasy (Teen Substance Abuse).
    Teenagers that are arrested often test positive for recent drug use. The National Institute of Justices Arrestee and Drug Monitoring System (ADAM) drug testing program found that 66 percent of underage males arrested tested positive for marijuana.
Parents and families face one of the most difficult battles in today’s society – that of raising drug free children. Communication is one of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal in keeping our kids off drugs. Yet for some reason, it is the most feared, and is seldom used.
The fact is that we as parents, must set the tone and standards, for what is normal for society.  People must talk to their children on a regular basis about the dangers of drugs, and be active participants in their lives.  Hopefully, it will start a trend to change the face of drug addiction across the nation.
By: Pete Strom, South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney

DEA to Ban “Bath Salts” Drug

by Pete Strom on September 8, 2011

(WASHINGTOND.C.)- Under increasing pressure from several states, the Drug Enforcement Administration says it will temporarily prohibit possession and sale of three synthetic stimulants – known as “bath salts.”  The DEA says they are hazardous chemicals that pose a danger to public health.

CBS News reported that at least 27 states have already banned the stimulants, and the DEA ban will take effect in 30 days.

The drugs are sold as bath salts or plant food and distributed under names like “Purple Wave,” “Vanilla Sky” and “Bliss.”  The salts are extermely popular among teens and young adults they have been known to mimic the effects of cocaine, LSD and methamphetamines.

Bath salts are lab-produced stimulants known as “synthetic cathinones.”  They primarily imitate the effect of marijuana, but can be more controlling and can result in users hallucinating and becoming extremely violent.

Read our previous Bath Salts Article to read about how it was on the rise in South Carolina.

The DEA says individuals have experienced disorientation, extreme paranoia and violent episodes after ingesting the chemicals. The salts are sold on the Internet and in some retail outlets.

The DEA says the ban will last at least a year, and then the government will determine whether it should permanently control the stimulants.

By: South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyer Pete Strom

Man thrown in Jail for trying to Break his Dog out of Pound

by Pete Strom on September 6, 2011

A Connecticut man is in Jail after police say he was caught trying to break into the local pound to steal his own dog.

Walter Scovish, 55, had his dog taken away last week when he was arrested on drug charges.

After his release, the suspect broke into the West Hartford animal shelter to rescue his Indian greyhound named Missy.

Scovish says he did it because Missy has special needs.

Authorities were called Monday morning when an alarm went off.

They found the man hiding inside a tube outside a nearby firehouse.

He is being held on $150,000 bond. Missy still remains at the pound.

For more information  on this story, check out the NY Daily New’s Website.

 

By: South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney Pete Strom

Dead Oklahoma Linebacker’s Family Turns Information over to Police

by Pete Strom on September 1, 2011

NORMAN,Okla.— The family of Oklahoma linebacker Austin Box claims they have information that could help police investigating his death.

The parents told The Associated Press there were text messages on their son’s cell phone that suggest at least two people know who was giving him pain pills before his death last May at the age of 22.

The Box family has turned the information over to Oklahoma authorities who said they will not discuss their investigation.

The former linebacker suffered many injuries in high school and at the University of Oklahoma. An autopsy found several painkillers including an anti-anxiety drug in his system.  The coroner cited “mixed drug toxicity” as the probable cause of death.

Police have not charged anyone in the case.

By: South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney Pete Strom

 

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